The students are able to use original resources and gather information from exhibits at the Louisiana State Museum to create a project of their choice as long as it focuses on an in-depth look at Louisiana, Jolly said.

Projects in previous years have included an original newspaper, research on statewide Mardi Gras traditions and the Louisiana Purchase.

“Some of the projects from last summer include the Battle of New Orleans, a comparison of Paul Morphy and Bobby Fischer’s chess strategies, the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, Shreveport’s Holiday Trail of Lights and Civil War submarines, just to name a few,” Jolly said.

Many other resources available to the participants are located in downtown Baton Rouge, such as the Old Arsenal Museum, the USS Kidd Battleship and Veterans Memorial Complex, the Old State Capitol and the Museum of Political History, among others.

While creating their independent study project, participating students will gain from a low facilitator to child ratio—the facilitator being an LSU graduate student trained in gifted education.

At each location, students will have access to primary resources to help in developing research skills and overcoming challenging material. They will also have interaction with children of similar abilities and interests.

The program runs June 7-11 and 14-18 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. The cost is $110 per child and includes the two-week session tuition, supplies and snacks. For more information or to receive an information packet, contact:

Jennifer L. Jolly. PhD
Louisiana State University
College of Educationjjolly@lsu.edu
225.578.2049